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Latest Thoughts

Latest Thoughts

It’s no mystery that employee engagement is low. But what’s the real reason? Could it be that we’re missing something that likely has a large impact? We’re finding that the mindsets of our employees heavily contribute to whether they engage with a strategic direction or not. And if we don’t understand these mindsets, or learn how to change them, our next initiative may fail. Some people believe...

When you’re starting a new communication project, asking the right questions of your customer sounds like a no-brainer. But are your questions right? If not, your results may be a big surprise. In the final post of Richard Khleif’s series, The power of critical thinking , Richard shares his method of developing the right questions to deliver the best results – to start your IC projects right...

Can you articulate your organization’s strategy in a meaningful way that all employees would understand? Would all of your leaders say it the same way, no matter the division they lead? And is it integrated into all of your internal communication programs? Are you sure? Corporate strategy drives our future, how we focus our efforts, and it provides our ultimate goals. It’s our North Star. And it’...

It is hard to believe that another year has passed and that the Melcrum Awards are almost upon us again. This is my fourth year on the judging panel and it is fair to say that I continue to be excited by this prospect; not least at having the opportunity to see the manner in which IC practitioners continue to raise the bar in how they are adding value within their respective organizations. I...

Inspiration is all around us. But many of us may not be looking beyond the office to answer the questions of the business world. Richard Khleif of Oracle, shares in his second critical thinking post, how gaining this type of inspiration can help us to be better communicators. Counterculture In my last post , I offered an operational definition of Critical Thinking (CT) and teed up three related...

As internal communicators continue to lead strategic business roles in organizations, it’s increasingly important to master critical thinking skills, with new perspectives, objectives and understanding – beyond our communication roles. Richard Khleif shares his experiences, approach and practical tips to unpack this multi-layered topic. Criticality I was asked to pen a series on “critical...

A key theme to be addressed at the 2015 Melcrum Summit is the role of communication in supporting the purpose-driven organization. But what exactly do we mean when we talk about purpose in a business context? Why have conversations around purpose, accelerated? And what are the implications for internal communication professionals? Mandy Thatcher explores the complexities behind a simple term that...

To say I am thrilled to be an award judge in this year's Melcrum Awards would be an understatement. As a career Communication professional and a veteran of Internal Communication, I have seen the function grow and take prominence in organizations right across the globe. This is due to the amazing work Internal Communication professionals play in delivering strategic communication practices and...

Driving change and supporting leadership in developing faster, better messaging that supports strategy execution means the modern IC professional must be networked more than ever before – both inside and outside the organization. In his last post for us on this topic, Baker & McKenzie’s Jeff Zwier shows us that the future of the internal communications role is as much about connection as it...

Today’s leading internal communicators are in fact, business communicators with the knowledge and influence to become true trusted advisors. Baker & McKenzie’s Jeff Zwier tells us how, in his third post in our series on this hot topic. For many years, communicators have been concerned with getting that coveted 'seat at the table,' and we’re constantly refining our trusted advisor skills to...